A retrospective, average 2-year review of 14 patients with a primary g
lenoid labral tear treated by arthroscopic debridement was conducted t
o evaluate the long-term results of labral debridement based on tear l
ocation in preoperatively stable shoulders. All patients with concomit
ant pathology requiring an additional open or arthroscopic procedure w
ere eliminated from this study. Every patient complained of shoulder p
ain mainly with overhead activities and nine patients (64%) also descr
ibed ''clicking'' with shoulder movement. All shoulders were stable to
translation in all quadrants during the preoperative examination and
examination under anesthesia. The functional results at 6 months' foll
ow-up were 93% excellent or good. However, the results at >1 year's fo
llow-up (average 2 years) were only 71% excellent or good, with a stat
istically significant 50% of patients decreased in function. The best
results were in the superior and anterior-inferior regions. Three pati
ents with large anterior-superior lesions (60%) developed postoperativ
e instability noted at >6 months postsurgery, representing a significa
nt difference between groups. One of these patients was able to regain
a good functional result with rotator cuff strengthening therapy. Clo
se observation of patients after large anterior-superior labral tear a
rthroscopic debridement is advised because they are at risk for the de
layed onset of instability.